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4 days ago
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Report: Arrested teacher groomed student before sending messages leading to his charges
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Arrest records for an IR Prep teacher charged with battery and sexual solicitation of a minor show the 61-year-old is accused of inappropriately touching a student at least a year before he began seeking sex in exchange for better grades, completed homework and money. Details of a warrant affidavit leading to the July 17 arrest of Audley Hewitt, of the 8000 block of Westfield Circle, outline his alleged behavior toward the student, which is reported to have begun at age 16, and at some point during his time as her teacher from 2023 through 2025. Another IR Prep teacher at the grades 6 to 12 alternative school alerted law enforcement May 14 after reviewing messages initiated by Hewitt to the student from Jan. 22 through March 5. Indian River County Sheriff's Office Capt. Joe Abollo said the school notified the agency's school resource deputy the same day, beginning a two-month investigation. The length of the investigation was attributed to the time it took for social media companies to grant law enforcement access to Hewitt's social media content and messages that would become evidence for his arrest. In statements of what are said to be messages from Hewitt to the girl, he several times requests to meet her for sex and for images of her. He acknowledges her age and that they would have to 'be careful' to not get caught. Later he began sending money for various expenses leading to what amounted to a proposition of $200 for sex with the student, according to the affidavit. Deputies were told Hewitt requested the student to come into his classroom and instructed her to 'write her email and phone number down on a sheet of paper' leading to the social media conversation. According to the affidavit and statements from the student, 'Hewitt would also refer to the conversation while in person.' In one message exchange Hewitt is accused of sending 'a photograph of the victim's updated passing grade,' and several times mentioned he was doing her homework, instructing her how to respond if asked. More: 72-year-old woman imprisoned for embezzling $700,000 from Holy Cross Church in Vero Beach Abollo said it does not appear an actual physical encounter occurred between Hewitt and the girl. Hewitt's battery charge Abollo said was a result of the alleged inappropriate touching beginning in 2023. According to the affidavit, around that time, Hewitt began 'rubbing her back' and 'making unnecessary conversation' with the teen, which turned into what she said was an estimated 60 instances of the behavior throughout the year. The report shows Hewitt referenced the touching in the messages with the girl. Asked if other students had made complaints against Hewitt or if he was suspected of similar behavior with other students, Abollo said, "it's still an active investigation" and that detectives were "looking at that angle." After being notified of the accusation, the district removed Hewitt from his teaching role and employed him in the school district print shop. Sebastian: DEP issues warning letter in mangrove case Food truck rules: Indian River County eyes revising, updating food-truck rules as Griddle and Grind moves back In a statement following his arrest, a district spokesperson said the superintendent was seeking an expedited termination of Hewitt. Hewitt was named the 2022 IR Prep "Teacher of the Year," according to school district social media records. He has been charged with: Soliciting to commit sexual battery on a child; battery touch or strike; attempted sexual activity with a minor; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, according to Indian River County Sheriff's Office records. Following his first appearance in court July 18 on the four charges, jail records showed Hewitt remained incarcerated on $115,000 bail and did not have an attorney listed. Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Teacher groomed student before sending messages, arrest, report shows
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4 days ago
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2 men indicted in 2024 IRC triple murder accuse each other, court records show
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for two Vero Beach men following grand jury indictments on first-degree murder charges in the killings of a grandmother and her pregnant granddaughter late last year. Shelby Baker, 19, and her unborn child died from multiple gunshot wounds while her grandmother Amanda Baker, 68, was shot and stabbed in what officials said was a planned night attack at their home carried out by the two 20-year-olds on Nov. 10, 2024. Toby Featherston and Aiden Christman each were indicted July 15 on five charges including: burglary of a dwelling with an assault or battery while armed and discharge of a firearm causing great bodily harm; two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm; first-degree murder of an unborn child with a firearm; and attempted first-degree murder with a a firearm and discharge of a firearm or with an edged weapon. Featherston and Christman were arrested in March. In a news conference at that time announcing the arrests, Sheriff Eric Flowers called the killings 'absolutely senseless, just craziness,' and said they were committed by people with a vendetta against the family. A roughly 50-page report outlined the scope of the investigation and evidence gathered including statements of admission of involvement in the killings. Investigation details Through interviews with those who talked with the men after the murders, forensic evidence of items found at the scene and escape route, cell phone and vehicle location data and home surveillance footage, detectives placed Featherston and Christman as the suspects and later secured warrants for their arrest on murder and burglary charges. Featherston and Christman each pleaded not guilty to the charges in April, according to court filings. According to the warrant affidavit, during a six-hour questioning session with detectives, Featherston said Christman was responsible for the killings. Christman, however, denied involvement and in his arrest pointed to Featherston. The 80-year-old grandfather also in the home, reliant on oxygen, survived by hiding. A man described as Shelby Baker's boyfriend sustained stab wounds during a confrontation with one of the attackers. Featherston and Christman both attended Vero Beach High School and in recent years both were apprehended for violent episodes directed at their parents, according to the report. Featherston had been released from prison just days before the murders following a three-year sentence on aggravated battery charges arising from a hammer attack on his father in 2022. Christman was held in 2020 under the Baker Act in an incident involving his mother. The Florida Mental Health Act, better known as the Baker Act, permits people to be held, voluntarily or involuntarily, in a mental health facility for up to 72 hours if the person is deemed to be a threat to themselves or others. Featherston had been in a relationship with Shelby Baker and briefly lived at the residence before being trespassed from the home by Amanda Bake in 2021. She reported a handgun belonging to Featherston to law enforcement leading to his arrest. That episode and his reported threats to 'kill her and her husband' are what Flowers said precipitated the murders following his release from prison Nov. 4, 2024. Several statements in the report indicated Featherston was angry with Shelby Baker about their former relationship. Detectives, a crime scene investigator and Assistant State Attorney William Long attended the Nov. 11, 2024 autopsies performed by Dr. Patricia Aronica. It was found Shelby Baker had been shot five times across her upper body and torso, also striking the fetus. Amanda Baker had been shot four times in her torso and back and struck or stabbed eight times by a knife across her head and body. The examiner reported her death was a result of gunshot and stab wounds. Among the pieces of evidence found at the home were clothing items including a hat and slide-style sandal, matched to clothing seen worn by Christman in images on social media and with matching DNA profile samples. Camera footage from nearby homes show two men walking toward the home at roughly 3:35 a.m. At 3:44 a.m., the first gunshot was heard in audio recordings lasting 10 seconds and the first person exits the home running south. That's followed by 4 seconds of additional gunfire. At 3:45 a.m., a second person is captured in footage running from the rear of the home carport area. Forensic cell phone data was used to identify the location of Christman's phone around the suspected time of the murders and plotted its whereabouts to the 'vicinity of the Baker residence.' A Nov. 27 search of Christman's silver Toyota Scion led to the recovery of blood stained clothing items and a rag that contained three DNA profiles and two loaded 9mm magazines. Christman was arrested on a warrant for several murder, burglary and assault charges March 17 standing at the intersection of 43rd Avenue Southwest and 9th Street Southwest. Featherston also was arrested March 17 at his probation office upon the execution of a DNA search warrant. During six hours of questioning, Featherston was said to have altered his account of the evening several times and denied involvement in the murders, according to the arrest report. He said the murders occurred and he participated, but he was only following behind Christman. who he said entered the home and stabbed Amanda Baker. He is reported as saying he fought with the boyfriend and only after finding Christman's gun at his feet did he fire into a bedroom doorway. Then, he said he left the home and ran along a canal and discarded the knife handle and handgun. More: 'Cold-blooded killer'; grand jury indicts man in slaying of woman in St. Lucie County The 9mm handgun was a match to the casings and projectiles in the home. The affidavit states the handgun was reported stolen from a prior family acquaintance of Christman with whom he briefly shared a residence in the Orlando area. Clothing Featherston said he wore that night was taken by investigators from his apartment on the second floor of the downtown Vero Theatre Plaza for forensic testing after an initial presence of blood was found. Featherston identified himself as the person captured in footage walking the pathway where the weapons were found after the killings. Christman made several statements about what he said took place that night to multiple people questioned by law enforcement, according to the report. In statements detectives said they obtained, they wrote that Christman told at least one person, 'Featherston used (his) firearm to kill Amanda Baker, Shelby Baker and Shelby's unborn child' while he 'stabbed Amanda Baker approximately nine times.' Death penalty To determine whether capital punishment is warranted, the state is required to identify the aggravating circumstances, or reasons why a sentence of death is legal and appropriate. Prosecutors said in court filings they could prove the crimes qualified for seven aggravating factors for Featherston and six for Christman. The six aggravating factors in common for both Featherston and Christman are listed in court documents as follows: The defendant had been previously convicted of another capital felony or of a felony involving the use or threat of violence. The capital felony was committed while the defendant was engaged, or was an accomplice in the commission of, or attempt to commit, or flight after committing, or attempting to commit, any: robbery; sexual battery; aggravated child abuse; abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult resulting in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement; arson; burglary; kidnapping; aircraft piracy; or unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb. The capital felony was committed for pecuniary gain. The capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel. The capital felony was a homicide committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification. The victim was a person less than 12 years of age. An additional aggravating factor for Featherston was cited as a person charged with committing the capital felony who had been previously convicted of a felony and served a prison sentence, time on community control or felony probation. Assistant State Attorney Bill Long is the lead prosecutor but said he was limited in what he could say about the case. He said Featherston and Christman will be co-defendants in a trial, but a jury would determine a separate verdict for each. If Featherston or Christman are found guilty of capital murder, the juries that convict them will go through a legal process of weighing aggravating factors that prosecutors will argue support execution or mitigating circumstances that advocate for life in prison. Mitigating factors don't excuse the crime, but can be considered in determining a sentence. For a judge to impose the death penalty, the sentence must be recommended by a supermajority, or at least an 8-4 vote by jurors. If found guilty of first-degree murder during the first phase of a trial, the same jury would then determine a sentence, which can only be life in prison or execution. More: Destination Vero Beach: Completion of Customs facility means more international flights More: Law enforcement pursuit on U.S. 1, Wabasso bridge ends in man's arrest after 2 PIT stops (This story has been updated with new information.) Legal affairs reporter Melissa E. Holsman contributed to this report. Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: State seeks death for 2 accused in 2024 triple murder in Indian River County
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4 days ago
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Law enforcement pursuit on U.S. 1, Wabasso bridge ends in arrest of man after 2 PIT stops
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A law enforcement pursuit ended after deputies twice forced a vehicle off the road to stop the driver, a Sebastian man, who officials said fled several traffic-stop attempts at high speeds on U.S. 1. Sebastian police first tried to stop a silver Lexus sport utility vehicle around 10 a.m. July 14 at Schumann Drive and U.S. 1, according to Indian River County Sheriff's Office records. Prior arrest records show the driver, Steven Soltysik, 70, of the 900 block of Canal Circle, had an active warrant seeking his arrest on charges from May of failure to appear in court, auto burglary and criminal mischief. After learning of the police attempt to stop Soltysik, deputies began searching for the vehicle last identified by automated license plate readers near County Road 510 and U.S. 1. An Indian River Shores Public Safety Department officer spotted the vehicle parked at Wabasso Beach Park, but when deputies with active emergency lights approached the vehicle it drove away. As it fled the second stop attempt, a deputy wrote in a report the SUV passed another vehicle as it traveled west over the two-lane Wabasso Beach Road and Bridge Boulevard at 45-50 mph. The deputy performed the first pursuit immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, just east of U.S. 1 at Harbor Isle Way, successfully stopping the SUV by pushing into it, causing it to spin out and stop. However, the deputy noted 'the driver restarted the … SUV and continued to flee westbound.' U.S. 1 is a major north-south corridor from Sebastian to Vero Beach with average annual daily traffic between 20,000 and 30,000 vehicles, and, in the area of the PIT maneuvers, just under 25,000, according to 2024 data from the Florida Department of Transportation. Along Wabasso Beach Road, according to FDOT, the 2024 annual daily traffic count averages 15,800. On U.S. 1, the vehicle fled north at speeds up to 75 mph in a 45 mph posted area until it reached the 9000 block, near the Twisted Pickle restaurant, where the deputy positioned his vehicle for another PIT maneuver. The SUV driver 'slammed on his brakes.' The deputy wrote in the report, 'I also braked and conducted the second successful PIT maneuver.' Other deputies converged at the site of the stopped SUV conducting what was called a high-risk traffic stop where after a few minutes refusing their commands, Soltysik exited the vehicle and was arrested. He was taken to Sebastian Orlando Health Hospital for medical evaluation and then to Indian River County Jail. As of July 15, according to Sheriff's Office records, Soltysik remains in jail without bail on additional charges of fleeing and eluding and resisting without violence. More: Texas flooding: Vero Beach Riverside Theatre kids show support in Camp Mystic deaths More: Former Vero Beach Mayor Mary Beth McDonald dies at 73 following lengthy illness More: Vero Mobile Home Park staring down foreclosure; owner says he'll fight it Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on X @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Law enforcement pursuit on U.S. 1, Wabasso bridge ends in man's arrest
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4 days ago
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Indian River eyes revising, updating food-truck rules as Griddle and Grind moves back
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Griddle and Grind food truck owner Dane Jones was forced to move his truck in May from the parking lot of OTG Liquidation Center, 6920 U.S. Highway 1, to Sebastian. It's in an unincorporated area of the county, where food trucks are prohibited. Now Jones is back in his original location and doing better than ever. The county allowed him to return and suspended his code-enforcement violation. At the same time, the county is trying to revise the outdated codes that forced Jones to move in the first place. "The community support I have received for standing up to the county has been incredible," said Jones. "People come up to me daily and talk to me about it." Nearly every day since returning, Griddle and Grind is selling out. Jones spends most afternoons shopping and restocking. Often his wife Lauren, after getting off a shift as a full-time nurse at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, has had to go shopping as well. "We haven't had an off-season," said Dane Jones. "In part, it's because people are happy we stood up for ourselves. Rewriting codes Planning and Development Director Chris Balter presented the first ideas for updating the codes to county commissioners July 15. "We had an old ordinance from 1990 which made it difficult for food trucks to operate within the (unincorporated) county, except under certain circumstances," said Balter. "We're trying to rectify that so that everyone can benefit from food trucks." The draft allows food trucks to operate in areas zoned commercial and industrial from 7 a.m. to p.m., with one truck per site and no overnight parking. Griddle and Grind is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The draft revision bars the trucks from having have tables, chairs, tents or signs; loud generators or utility hookups; and requires them to display their licenses and inspection reports and to operate on a paved surface. "The code was written before food trucks became popular," explained Balter. "Thirty years later, we have to go back and modernize it." Texas flooding: Vero Beach Riverside Theatre kids show support in Camp Mystic deaths Mobile home fight: Vero Mobile Home Park staring down foreclosure; owner says he'll fight it Jones disagrees with the ban on utility hookups and the mandate for paved surfaces. "If the business I am parking at allows me to hook up to their utilities, I should be able to," he explained. "Also, there are a lot of unpaved parking lots in the county." While the revision remains a draft, Jones will make his thoughts known. "I'll let the county know and continue to monitor the issue," said Jones. "I'm just trying to make this a better environment for me and my colleagues." Nick Slater is TCPalm's Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at and 224-830-2875. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Griddle and Grind food truck returns to operate in Indian River County Solve the daily Crossword
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4 days ago
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Alternative school teacher arrested on sex solicitation involving minors, battery charges
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An alternative school teacher has been arrested on charges related to battery and soliciting lewd and lascivious acts from minors. Audley Hewitt, 61, who was named 2022 IR Prep Teacher of the Year, was arrested just before noon July 17, law enforcement and school district records show. His full charges include soliciting a sexual battery act by a custodian with a victim under 18; battery touch or strike; unlawful use of a two-way communication device, according to Indian River County Sheriff's Office records. Arrest records show he was arrested at his residence west of Vero Beach in the 6400 block of 26th Street at 11:51 a.m. A student reported Hewitt's alleged actions saying he was "engaged in inappropriate relationships" and "soliciting a student," according to an Indian River County Sheriff's Office news release. A School District of Indian River County spokesperson provided a statement acknowledging the arrest and 'allegations involving a teacher at IR Prep,' and that both referred to Hewitt. The allegations in the student's report occurred from Jan. 22 through March, Capt. Joe Abollo said. He said the district notified law enforcement of the student's report at a later date. It's unclear at what point between March and the date of Hewitt's arrest the school notified the agency of the matter. 'As soon as the matter was brought to the District's attention, appropriate steps were immediately taken,' district spokesperson Kyra Schafte said in an emailed statement. 'The District conducted an internal investigation and, consistent with its obligations, promptly reported the matter to the Department of Children and Families and to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.' Superintendent David Moore approved a measure to speed up Hewitt's termination of employment. IR Prep at 1426 18th Street is a secondary school for students in grades six through12. Hewitt was not found among an online list of faculty, however, an Oct. 11, 2022 Facebook picture and caption depicts the school's principal, Dariyall Brown, posing with Hewitt who was awarded as that year's 'Teacher of the Year.' (This story was updated with more information.) More: 2 men indicted in 2024 IRC triple murder accuse each other, court records show More: Law enforcement pursuit on U.S. 1, Wabasso bridge ends in man's arrest after 2 PIT stops Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: IR Prep school teacher arrested on sex solicitation charge involving minors
